Sporting CP overcome Rio Ave 0-2 in Vila do Conde

A 0-2 win away to Rio Ave FC on Wednesday night not only meant that Sporting Clube de Portugal maintain their lead at the top of the Liga NOS table; it also guaranteed them a spot in the Group Stage of next season’s Champions League.

The victory came courtesy of goals from Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho either side of half time, and had been inspired by a party of thousands of Sportinguistas waiting for the team bus before kickoff in Arcos to encourage their heroes.

Rúben Amorim made four changes to his first XI for the game, as Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, João Pereira and João Mário came in for Luís Maximiano, Luís Neto, Pedro Porro and Daniel Bragança, respectively. Pereira was making his first start in 2020/2021.

Rio Ave FC began playing a high line, trying to break up Sporting CP’s build-up from the back. They created a first half-chance of the game, when Ivo Pinto’s cross deflected off Nuno Mendes and hit the post. That was swiftly replicated on 7 minutes, when Sebastián Coates headed against the woodwork at the other end.

A great move by Sporting CP ended with João Pereira crossing, Pedro Gonçalves controlling and Nuno Santos shooting hard for an effort saved by goalkeeper Kieszek, and off the following corner kick, Nuno Mendes found João Palhinha, who struck the post with a header of his own.

Coates was a standout in the first half, with a masterclass in defending, positioning and covering any gaps in the Sporting CP back line, keeping Rio Ave FC quiet.

Half an hour into the game, after a Gonçalves shot parried by Kieszek, the forward had another chance to open the scoring: A ball into the area was met by Ivo Pinto’s hand, and referee Fábio Veríssimo awarded a penalty after consulting VAR. Gonçalves stepped up and converted, grabbing his 18^th goal of the league season and returning to the top of the best marksman ranking.

Before the break, a direct free kick from Nuno Mendes went over and Júnior Brandão had a shot easily contained by Antonio Adán. Paulinho and João Mário came close to scoring a second for the team, but Kieszek made the save and Sporting CP went into the interval 0-1 to the good.

After the break, Rio Ave FC upped the intensity in search of an equaliser, albeit without any great opportunities on goal. The standout was a header wide by Júnior Brandão, and whilst unconvincing it did convince Amorim to shuffle the pack: Matheus Nunes came on for Nuno Santos and went to the right of the attack, as Gonçalves moved to the left. It was on his first intervention that Nunes created danger, heading a cross by João Mário off target.

Kieszek got to a ball played by Paulinho ahead of Nunes, in another close call, but there was still a need to score a second goal. That came on 63 minutes, when a poor clearance from the defence went to Paulinho, who chested down the ball and looped the ball from outside the area into the back of the net -leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

There could have been a third goal on 66 minutes, from Gonçalves, but that was to be his last involvement of the game of note. He was replaced by Daniel Bragança for the final ten minutes.

A counterattack by Jovane Cabral and a Palhinha shot wide from the rebound concluded the opportunities for Sporting CP, who controlled their lead and took the victory in Vila do Conde. With at least second place in the Liga NOS table assured, the leaders now go on to play Boavista FC at the Estádio José Alvalade this weekend.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, João Pereira (Luís Neto, 83'), João Palhinha, João Mário (Jovane Cabral, 76'), Nuno Mendes, Pedro Gonçalves (Daniel Bragança, 83'), Nuno Santos (Matheus Nunes, 54') and Paulinho.

A solid win earned a positive reaction from the Sporting CP coach

Following the 0-2 victory at Rio Ave FC on Wednesday night, Rúben Amorim gave a press conference to review the game and a result that means the club will play in the group stage of the Champions League in 2021/2022.

"It was an objective for the club. We knew it was going to be very difficult", he told journalists.

"We are going to play in the best and biggest competition in Europe. We are going to suffer a lot. If we have already suffered in the league, it is important to be aware of that and not change our ideas. We have to keep training and improving our players".

On the game itself, the coach said he was not surprised by the way the action developed.

"We started very strong. We knew what Rio Ave FC were going to do. The players were able to withstand the difficult moments and the great pressing that Rio Ave FC did. We missed a lot of chances again, and it took a while to score our first, but the players did well. We even had more transitions than Rio Ave FC, so congratulations to the players".

"We know the anxiety that the fans have right now, as they have been waiting (for a league title) for a long time. Now we have a very difficult game coming up, and we are going to focus on that", he said of the reception received by the players at the stadium.

Sporting CP have gone 31 consecutive games unbeaten in Liga NOS - the first team ever to achieve such a feat.

"Congratulations to the players, but I have a feeling that, at the moment, this milestone still doesn't give us anything. It has to be completed by something else", he commented.

Regarding Paulinho, who scored a great goal in Vila do Conde, Amorim explained that he is "the same player he was before the game".

"I'm happy about his goal. I look at his face and I can see the relief he is feeling. I'm happy for him, but he's the same player. I have been looking more at how he gets free from his marking and the way he works at tracking back. Goals give value to a forward's performance, but I believe in him in the same way that I did before".

Sportinguistas will be paying close attention to Thursday's match between SL Benfica and FC FC Porto -the latter second in the table, 9 points behind Sporting CP and with 12 points to play for (courtesy of a game in hand).

"Obviously, if the second placed side drops points, it is better for us -because the third placed team can no longer catch us. But we have to win our games", added Amorim.

​Training for the midweek Liga NOS fixture begins on Monday

Sporting Clube de Portugal trained on Monday morning, at the Academia Sporting in Alcochete, as they face midweek action in Liga NOS. The team will travel to Vila do Conde on Wednesday for an important match against Rio Ave FC, as they attempt to maintain their six-point league at the top of the table.

In the Monday session, Rúben Amorim was without Bruno Tabata and Tiago Tomás, who continue to recover from their respective injuries.

Os Leões will have further training on Tuesday at 10am, with Amorim addressing the media at 5pm in his pre-match press conference at the Auditório Artur Agostinho in the Estádio José Alvalade.

The Sporting CP coach felt his side were more than deserved winners against CD Nacional

After the final whistle in Saturday's game against CD Nacional, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim reflected on a 2-0 victory that he felt his side completely deserved.

"We produced a lot for a team who scored just two goals. We had opportunities to score more and CD Nacional had almost no chances", he said.

"The game was stopped many times and there were many fouls, but they were almost always against us. This time wasting created some anxiety amongst the team, but it was another day of suffering for Sportinguistas that ended well."

Amorim added that the introduction of Jovane Cabral 'unlocked' the game, allowing the team their breakthrough.

"The sending off of a CD Nacional player meant that there was less one man on the pitch, but it did not change the characteristics of the game and Sporting CP continued on top of things, trying to score. Jovane came in strong, holding the ball up. I have lost count of the number of games that players who have come off the bench have been decisive. That is their role; both Jovane and the rest of the team should be congratulated."

The coach also explained his decision to include Daniel Bragança in midfield, in the position usually occupied by João Mário.

"It was a tactical choice. João Mário has been playing and has had a great season, but I thought that the characteristics Bragança has were better for this game. CD Nacional would almost always be defending and Bragança provides a lot of speed on the ball. I thought that we would not need João Mário to slow down the game so much, but rather a player that varied things up. I think Bragança had a great game", he told journalists, before addressing the inevitable questions about title candidacy.

"I want the players to think that we can drop points at any ground. We have a 6-point lead and 12 points in play. As for the support of the fans, the team are grateful for it. The great biggest success of the coaching staff and these players was changing the dynamic of the club. It is very difficult to do this in one year, I am lucky to have a group of players who are at the level required of Sporting CP. I congratulate them, but there is still a long way to go."

2-0 win over CD Nacional maintains Sporting CP's advantage at the top

Sporting CP beat CD Nacional 2-0 in a Saturday night Liga NOS fixture, with goals from Zouhair Feddal and Jovane Cabral in the second half. The game was a meeting between the side top of the league table and the bottom-placed team in the division, with the home side eventually claiming the triumph at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Coach Rúben Amorim returned to the dugout after serving a suspension, and brought in goalkeeper Luís Maximiano for the starting XI due to a sanction for Antonio Adán. Maximiano thus made his first league appearance of the season, and was deputised by youngster André Paulo on the bench.

Fighting for survival, CD Nacional went on the attack early, and tested the Sporting CP shot stopper with an effort that he kept out.
 
Following that brief scare, Sporting CP took over. Pedro Porro found Paulinho in the area, with the striker having his header saved by António Filipe - the CD Nacional goalkeeper who also denied Pedro Gonçalves immediately afterwards off a powerful shot.
 
A controversial decision saw a goal disallowed for offside on 35 minutes, but Os Leões continued searching for an opener. They had two further opportunities afterwards, including a scramble inside the area and a Paulinho shot against the post. However, the score remained goalless at half time.

Upon the return from the interval, CD Nacional had another early chance that Maximiano met, but the momentum failed to turn in their favour. Sporting CP quickly snuffed out their threat, and Nuno Santos and Pedro Porro both nearly broke the deadlock.
 
A numerical advantage went the team's way on 67 minutes, as Ibrahim Alhassan was shown a red card, and Sporting CP upped the pressure thereafter. Jovane Cabral and Gonzalo Plata were brought on, and an onslaught followed against a side looking to defend with their lives; Paulinho nearly struck in but was denied by a top class save from António Filipe.
 
In the final ten minutes, they finally got the goal that they deserved. Off a corner, Jovane Cabral set up Zouhair Feddal for the defender to head into the net, making it 1-0.
 
A second goal arrived in stoppage time from the penalty spot, when Jovane Cabral was brought down inside the box. He dusted himself off to take it, and capped the victory with a successful conversion.

A 2-0 win keeps Sporting CP six points clear of nearest rivals FC Porto, and maintains a record-breaking run of 30 league games unbeaten. Os Leões will be back in action on Wednesday in Vila do Conde against Rio Ave FC.

Sporting CP: Maximiano (GK), Zouhair Feddal, Sebastián Coates [C], Luís Neto, Pedro Porro (Gonzalo Plata, 73’), Daniel Bragança (Matheus Reis, 85’), João Palhinha (Jovane Cabral, 62’), Nuno Mendes (Matheus Nunes, 85’), Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho.

The squad will be back to work on Wednesday

The Sporting Clube de Portugal squad were back in training on Tuesday at the Academia Sporting in Alcochete, after their 0-1 away victory against SC Braga.
The starting XI underwent the customary recovery workout, while the remainder of the personnel trained normally on the pitch.

Bruno Tabata underwent treatment in the physio room.

The players enjoy a well deserved day off on Tuesday, before returning to work on Wednesday at 10am.

Looking back on a statement victory

Sporting Clube de Portugal were made to battle for their 0-1 away victory against SC Braga on Matchday 29 of the Liga NOS season, and it was nothing short of epic from Rúben Amorim's men.

Down to ten men for over 70 minutes of the contest, the team held off the attacks from a side fourth in the table, claiming a late winning goal through Matheus Nunes.

Relive the agony and the ecstasy from a big league win with previously unseen footage in Backstage Sporting.

The coach gave merit to his side's resilience in victory over SC Braga

After the full time whistle in Sporting Clube de Portugal's 0-1 win away to SC Braga, coach Rúben Amorim expressed his pride in his players -who battled against a numerical disadvantage when Gonçalo Inácio was sent off in the 18th minute.

"You have to give credit to the players. It was a very tough game against an excellent team. We were able to suffer," he said.

"We are good at defending in a lower block. Up to the 20-minute mark it was an even game. From then on, there was no game. There was one team attacking,  and another defending and trying to break out. We ended up scoring, we won and we have to keep going."

For Amorim, his absence from the dugout due to suspension had no influence on the game or the result.

"I have been suspended for other games. The team are doing well and the coaching staff know what to do. As we saw today, we have several leaders."

"This was another victory, and there is still a long way to go. We could lose at home to CD Nacional, just like we could lose at another ground. This was a normal game and Sporting CP’s third win over SC Braga this year, but we have to be aware that we can win at any ground and that we can lose at any ground."

On the changes he made at halftime, taking off Nuno Santos and Paulinho to replace them with Luís Neto and Matheus Nunes, he commented that "Neto is a very strong player, used to playing with the other centre backs. He is very aggressive and we have trained many times with ten men. We have to improve our offensive side with one player less. With Matheus [Nunes], it was like at the Dragão against FC Porto or SC Braga at Alvalade. He defends well and has the ability to go forward. It ended up working."
Sporting CP will have a change of goalkeeper against CD Nacional, with Antonio Adán having been shown a fifth yellow card of the season, and Amorim addressed the preparation required.

"We have to have our feet firmly on the ground. We can lose points in any game and that has to be in our heads. We have to prepare Max [Luís Maximiano], because Adán picked up a fifth yellow - I can't remember a goalkeeper receiving five yellow cards before. Max has a lot of talent, and this is how the players grow," he added.

"Our focus is on CD Nacional, and on recovering and preparing the players. Having these examples from these past few weeks, it would be a mistake for us not to go game by game. If we were three points from clinching the title, we would be candidates -because we always go out to win.

"We cannot ride this rollercoaster of emotions. I understand the supporters, but it is up to me to maintain my discernment at this point with a young group. This was a good victory, playing with a man down at an important stage of the season," he said.

Finally, Rúben Amorim explained the substitutions he made at halftime, taking out Nuno Santos and Paulinho to replace Luís Neto and Matheus Nunes. "Neto is a very strong player used to playing with the other central players. (...) He is very aggressive and we have trained many times with one less. We have to improve the offensive part with one less. Matheus [Nunes] was like in Dragão or Braga in Alvalade. He defends well and has the capacity to go forward. It ended up working, "he said.

A Matheus Nunes goal in the 81st minute earns victory over SC Braga

Sporting Clube de Portugal overcame a stiff challenge on Matchday 29 of the Liga NOS season, beating SC Braga 0-1 despite playing for over 70 minutes with ten men. The only goal of the match was scored by second half substitute Matheus Nunes, 9 minutes from time.

The game was a meeting between the teams first and fourth in the league, held on a sodden pitch at the Estádio Municipal de Braga due to torrential rain in the warmup.
Coach Rúben Amorim, still suspended by the Portuguese football federation, changed two players in his starting XI: Zouhair Feddal and Nuno Santos came in for Matheus Reis and Tiago Tomás.

SC Braga started out as the slightly more offensive side, but the game quickly stabilised. Sporting CP enjoyed their usual possession game, building play through their centre backs, while the home side used high and aggressive pressure, as well as some dangerous crosses.

A Nuno Mendes delivery into the area caused problems for SC Braga, who cleared through defender Raul Silva, and a Pedro Porro corner flicked on by Paulinho was inches away from being turned in by Pedro Gonçalves.

For the hosts, Abel Ruiz went through on goal, with Antonio Adán smothering the threat. Castro would also strike wide soon after.

Sporting CP suffered a heavy blow in the 18th minute: Gonçalo Inácio, who had already been shown a yellow card after ten minutes, was booked for the second time, being sent off. With more than 70 minutes remaining, the team were reduced to ten men, and adjusted with Nuno Mendes switching to centre back and Nuno Santos occupying his place.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, it was Sporting CP who were strongest in front of goal immediately afterwards. Pedro Porro tried to surprise goalkeeper Matheus from distance, shooting wide.

However, as Sporting CP played deeper due to their lack of numbers, SC Braga began to attack more frequently. Fransérgio's header and Galeno's shot were both kept out by Adán, and Sebastián Coates was also very important in cutting out other opportunities.

The game went into halftime goalless, and Rúben Amorim made two reshuffles for Os Leões, taking off Nuno Santos and Paulinho for Luís Neto and Matheus Nunes -Nuno Mendes returning to his original position.

After a first 15 minutes without major incidents, Coates fell in the SC Braga box and appealed for a penalty kick, which was waved away. At the other end, Galeno's header was met with a magnificent intervention by Adán.

Tiago Tomás and Matheus Reis were introduced for Pedro Gonçalves and João Mário in further modifications, and after SC Braga threatened with an Al Musrati shot wide on 68 minutes, a Horta shot into the side netting and a Fransérgio drive that Adán saved, the game went into the final 10 minutes.

It was then that the key moment of the night arrived: Pedro Porro hit a direct free kick low to Matheus Nunes, unmarked on the right. The Sporting CP midfielder, inside the opposition area, shot hard at the near post and beat Matheus, breaking the deadlock.

From there, they resolutely defended SC Braga attempts to level, and held on through to the final whistle.

Sporting CP remain leaders of Liga NOS, and face CD Nacional on the next matchday of the season.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, João Mário (Matheus Reis, 64'), Nuno Mendes (Gonzalo Plata, 90+1'), Pedro Gonçalves (Tiago Tomás, 64'), Nuno Santos (Luís Neto, 45') and Paulinho (Matheus Nunes, 45').

Sunday night's big game is previewed by the Sporting CP coach

Sporting Clube de Portugal will travel to fourth placed SC Braga this Sunday, on Matchday 29 of the Liga NOS season. Ahead of the game, in his pre-match press conference, coach Rúben Amorim said that he envisions a tough contest.

"It will be a difficult game against an excellent team, who have experience, who are still in the fight for the title, and who play very well. They have a formation that adapts to how we play, because they use a 4-4-2, but [Wenderson] Galeno is the fifth man in the wing", he explained.

"We know SC Braga well and they know us, so the game could be decided by a detail. We are working on this. We will be prepared: We know SC Braga's quality, but we are also aware of ours and we are going to play for the win".

Despite the importance of the game, Amorim says that it is "not decisive" and holds the same importance as always.

Sporting CP remain Liga NOS leaders with 70 points, four more than the team in second place, and remain undefeated in the competition. Despite their draw at home against Belenenses SAD (2-2) in midweek, their coach is convinced of the way forward.

"We are creating more chances and we have to shoot better on goal, but we are also giving opposing teams fewer opportunities. It is up to me to make sure that we continue on that path. When the results don't come, people have their doubts, but that's part of the game. You have good phases and others that are less good, and we have to face things naturally".

"Last time out, we were losing in the 82nd minute, we scored, we went to get the ball out of the net, tried our best, scored our second and once again ran to the halfway line. That to me is a sign of the team's vitality. They did their best and that is why the players are not responsible for the dropped points. I am very proud of them and we are on the right track," he stressed.

Asked about the side he will pick against SC Braga, Amorim talked about some of his players individually

"Paulinho is doing his job well, and is the best Portuguese striker around. Bruno Tabata will not travel to Braga due to injury, but  Zouhair Feddal is fit and part of the squad, after missing the last two games."

"We already have our starting XI decided, and the team are prepared. Whoever is chosen will be ready to have a great game in Braga."